EPR Price Changes: Key Information for Your Business
The UK Environment Agency (EA) and DEFRA are currently rolling out a new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme. As sustainability takes priority, these changes will have an impact on the full supply chain. Here’s a quick guide to what’s happening and how it may affect your business.
Understanding EPR: What It Is and Why It Matters
The EPR scheme aims to hold producers and importers accountable for the packaging they produce, ensuring they cover the costs of managing packaging waste – from collection to recycling and disposal. For the most part, these costs will be reflected in the cost of goods.
Changes Introduced by EPR
- Increased Costs to Business
Businesses will be responsible for covering the full cost of managing their packaging waste. These costs will vary based on the materials used and their recyclability.
- New Reporting Requirements
Companies must track and report the type and quantity of packaging they place on the market. Accurate record-keeping is now more important than ever.
- Sustainability-Based Fee Structure
Fees will be higher for less sustainable packaging, incentivizing businesses to adopt more eco-friendly alternatives.
- Implementation Timeline
Although DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) has yet to confirm the final fees the reporting periods and the October 2025 deadline for first payments remain unchanged. Some larger businesses have been able to estimate and implement changes ahead of time, while others may have to wait for formal rate communication.
New EPR Supplier Pricing
At Dayla & James Pettit Wine Merchants we are now starting to see the effects of EPR and will endeavour to keep our customers as well informed as possible. As always, we are here to support you and your business. If you’ve questions about how this might affect your business our Account and Wine Development Managers are always on hand.